GM, Tiger Woods Limp Away From Endorsement Deal [Carpocalypse Now]

Tiger Woods and GM will part ways after five years, a reported $40 million and a lot of Buick Enclave commercials. The press release from GM goes out if its way to suggest any link to what's happening in Washington, D.C is "purely coincidental" so, you know, feel free to blame Tiger's knees instead. But it's weird to see GM claiming the decision came after a search for "budget efficiencies" yet having nothing to do with the lack-of-federal funding. We do have to admit, Tiger Woods was a valuable acquisition for Buick, letting them appeal to the older, affluent golf-watching demographic and younger, affluent multiracial golf-playing demo simultaneously. GM hasn't announced a replacement, but we hear John Daly will do it for free beer and hot wings. Press release below the jump.

GM And Tiger Woods Announce End To Endorsement Deal

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – General Motors and Tiger Woods announced today that they will conclude their endorsement deal effective December 31, 2008.

Both GM and Woods agreed to a mutual and amicable separation that included a desire for more personal time for the 14-time major winner who is expecting his second child in late winter as well as the search for budget efficiencies during a difficult economy for General Motors. For the past nine years, Woods has endorsed GM products around the world and has been heavily associated with the Buick brand in the US, Canada and China markets.

Mark LaNeve, General Motors North American Vice President of Sales, Service and Marketing said, “Tiger has been a great friend to GM and a fantastic asset through the years helping to bring consumer awareness to many new GM products. In light of the news coming out of Washington,” LaNeve added, “This decision is the result of discussions that started earlier in the year and the timing of this agreement with these other activities is purely coincidental.”

In a statement, Woods commented, “I am very proud of the long standing partnership I’ve had with GM and have enjoyed being a part of the company’s dramatic product evolution. We’ve had a lot of fun together and I participated in some unique and rewarding activities. We’ve enjoyed a tremendous partnership over the years and we will maintain strong ties with the many people at GM we call friends.”

[Source: GM]



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Nice Price Or Crack Pipe: $15,500 For A 1989 Mercedes-Benz 420SEL? [Nice Price Or Crack Pipe]

Nice Price Or Crack Pipe Time is with us once more, following up on the $15,000 '78 Mercury Grand Marquis (which 60% of you felt ought to steam straight to Booth Numbah Two for the crack pipe) with another car for 15 grand. Actually, this '89 420SEL is 15 and a half grand, which is quite an impressive figure… especially after you find out that Kelley thinks it's worth $4,675 in excellent condition. But hey, this car is really, really nice; low miles, looks good, and the owner has "neither smoked nor allowed any pets in the car." What do you think of $15,500 for it?



[Craigslist Los Angeles], Thanks to Commodore356 for the tip!

What would you say to $15,500 for an '89 420SEL?
( surveys)



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Volvo S80L: Longer, with More Chinese Characters! [Guangzhou International Auto Show]

Volvo released a China-only S80L version of its S80 sedan at the Guangzhou International Auto Show. Built in Chongqing as part of a Ford/Chang'an joint venture, the L model gains 14 centimeters in length over the standard issue S80. Back in the day, Volvo released its longer luxury versions under the "Executive" moniker, which totally sounds way more boss than just tacking on a measly little consonant. During the unveil, the guys manning the drums in back cranked out a bitchin' rock ballad to the amazement of all. Really. [AutoSohu]



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Production 2010 Chevy Camaro Convertible Photos Leaked onto the Web?

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According to the person that posted these photos on the Camaro5 forums, these two photos are of the production base Chevy Camaro.



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Changfeng, AM General bidding on Hummer

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Rejoice GM, somebody wants HUMMER! In fact, AM General, the company that created the original mil-spec HMMWV for American troops back in 1983 is rumored to be in the mix of bidders, joining forces with China's Hunan Changfeng Motor Co. Despite earlier reports, Changfeng has remained interested in the brand since GM first put HUMMER up on the auction block, but had desired a bidding partner. It appears that it found one shortly after touring the automaker's facilities a few months back.

This is an intriguing move, especially since it was AM General that first launched the HUMMER marque in America before selling marketing rights for the brand to General Motors in 1999. Despite the presence of a Chinese partner, rumors indicate that HUMMER would remain an American brand that's marketed predominately towards the United States. It's an interesting footnote, though possibly completely unrelated, that news of HUMMER's impending sale rise and fall in unison with global fuel prices. In any case, this announcement seems to reaffirm GM's stated goal of selling the off-road brand by 2009.

[Source: Gasgoo via Hummer Guy]

Changfeng, AM General bidding on Hummer originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW Celebrates 30 years of Design with New M1 Concept

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In celebration of 30 years BMW bestowed upon the M1 and the many fans who adore it a gift in orange and alloy. What you are looking at above is not a mere rendition of what a redesign of the M1 would look like, as animated as it appears to be. It is a physical reality that may be more study than reality, but truly does capture the spirit that drove the two preceding designs.

The new M1 concept car was received by those attending the Concorso d’Eleganza at Vista d’Este this weekend, where you will see in the photos of the gallery that it was joined by its 2 brothers. While what we see here may be just a concept it does reinforce the knowledge there are still people around today who can produce superlative designs such as this. To anyone’s knowledge thus far the 30 year anniversary M1 concept is merely a shell as no hint of a motive source or interior contents were exposed as its single outing.

Rekindling the knife’s-edge sharpness of the two prior designs tip of the hood the new M1 begins just as all others, with the two kidney shaped grill bookended by sinister headlamps. The contours of the body reflect well on the Giugiaro-designed M1 that followed up on the original M1 designed by Paul Bracq. The tribute follows suit from front to rear concluding with the louvered rear window and the dual BMW badging over-top of the rear break lamps.

Take a look at the gallery after the leap and join BMW in celebrating 30 years of M1 design. (more…)



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2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Officially Unveiled...Well Sort Of

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Hyundai is going to officially unveil the all-new 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe at the New York Auto Show this week, but thanks to quite a few sites the photos are already out there.



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GM doing something right: Malibu recognized as highest-quality midsize sedan

While the GM name may be currently surrounded by negative headlines, the General has something to be happy about with the latest J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey. Its hottest-selling Chevrolet...



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2009 Ford Fiesta 5-Door Unveiled in Geneva


Ford has unveiled the all-new 2009 Fiesta five-door in Geneva today. The five-door is debuting next to the all-new three-door version.



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Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet: More info on the 910 bhp mod by 9ff

A Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet with 910 bhp ranks very high on our "awesome list", please find more info about the 9ff mod here.The tuning specialists over at 9ff took an "ordinary" 911 turbo cabrio and kicked up the power into the 910 HP stratosphere. Since the standard 911 turbo can hit 60 MPH in under four seconds, we can't imagine what would happen if you doubled the grunt on a car that



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First Look: Maserati GranTurismo

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We’re not your normal exotic-car destination, but we still find wildly expensive, wildly powerful and wildly designed supercars fun to look at, especially when there’s a new one on the block. Today Maserati unveiled the first images of its new two-door sports car, the GranTurismo, which is sure to get ultraluxury buyers excited when it debuts at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

This is actually a very significant model for Maserati, as the company’s current coupes have not aged well. Most people know of the Quattroporte four-door sedan and its celebrity status in Hollywood, and Maserati’s close ties to Ferrari generate a lot of love from exotic car fans.

The GranTurismo was styled by Ferrari’s design house, Pininfarina, and is powered by a 405-hp, 4.2-liter V-8 engine. Weight is distributed almost perfectly, with 49% at the front and 51% at the rear. Like many new exotics, the GranTurismo features an automatic transmission with shift paddles for manual gear selecting. 

There’s no word on price or an on-sale date, but expect the price to be similar to or higher than Maserati’s current GranSport coupe, which hovers right around the $100,000 mark. For now, you can join us in just taking in this new exotic.

Related:
Cars.com Top 10 Most Memorable TV Cars

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MAM debuts ZR1 wheels for earlier Corvettes

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Mid-America has put C4, C5, and C6 Corvette owners twenty spokes closer to owning a ZR1. Anyone with a '97-'09 Vette can order the wheels in paired sizes in Chrome, Hyper Silver, Painted Black, and Black Chrome. They're $500 per pair and will ship in the New Year. Could be worth the wait for the Vette owner who (thinks he or she) has everything. You can read all about them in the press release after the jump and start your order with "Dear Santa..."

[Source: Mid America Motorworks]

Continue reading MAM debuts ZR1 wheels for earlier Corvettes

MAM debuts ZR1 wheels for earlier Corvettes originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Dec 2008 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi S6: It has the heart of a bull

Very nice review here of the Audi S6 from South Africa.The sound of the V10 in full cry is no doubt a plus. I advise all Audi salesmen to stand potential S6 customers at the side of the road and let them listen to this son of Gallardo as it charges.Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Audi S6Source: Motoring



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